SA children most at risk of rape - study

2011-03-29 22:33

Johannesburg - South African children aged 12 to 17 are more likely to be raped than people of any other age, in a country where the incidence of rape is among the world's highest, a minister said Tuesday.

Minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana said the finding was based on a study of people who sought help from public Thuthuzela rape survivor centres around the country.

"The group of children between the ages of 12 and 17 years are emerging as the most vulnerable group, constituting the majority - about 15 000 - of the people visiting these centres," said Xingwana.

More than 34 000 victims visited the centres during the three years reviewed, she said.

Several studies have shown that South Africa has one of the worst rape problems in the world.

Doctors Without Borders found that a woman is violated every 26 seconds, a figure matched only by countries at war.

A 2009 study by the government's Medical Research Council (MRC) revealed that more than one quarter of South African men admitted to raping a woman or girl, with 9.8% forcing themselves on a victim for the first time before the age of 10.

Most cases go unreported and the perpetrators are often known to the victim.

The MRC study found that only one in 25 rapes were reported to the police and one in five confessed rapists tested positive for HIV.

The acts of sexual violence are associated with criminal activity and domestic violence.

Comments

Realist - 2011-03-29 22:55

"in a country where the incidence of rape is among the world's highest" a HUGE understatement!

CraigColinRoyMcLeod - 2011-03-30 07:17

Yeah we are number 1 for Rape, Murder, And oddly only number 2 for knife or blade murder, apparently according to the un violence stats, colombians are better at killing people with knives, whats interesting is UN stats include war zones, so in essence you have a better chance at survival in an active warzone than in SA.
The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; and the pessimist fears this is true. ~James Branch Cabell

Jaimo - 2011-03-30 07:27

And you get idiots like Tutu who are more interested in their Marxist, anti-semetic, uninformed and ignorant comments about Israel and the Palestinians!

Thangy - 2011-03-30 09:34

@Jaimo really now, please go to the "world" section of this website, im sure there is some form of propaganda justifying your "chosen peoples'" atrocities against palastine!

Pokkels_LOL - 2011-03-30 14:59

99.99999999% of rapists in South Africa is BLACK!

Singo - 2011-03-29 23:35

WHAT ABOUT THE TODDLERS AND PRE-SCHOOL CHILDREN WHO ARE RAPED DAILY?SURELY THEY CAN'T RUN TO THE CENTRES TO BE COUNTED.JUST CHOP OFF THE RAPISTS' P#NIS#S TO REDUCE THE STATISTIC.

Bob - 2011-03-30 00:32

100% agree

steven - 2011-03-30 07:40

nope, disagree. Firing squad.

Mizer - 2011-03-30 11:39

How can they not in a country where rapists have more rights than victims. There are just too many rights and it came to a point where the government cannot control it.Some @ssholes from neighbouring borders are free to enter and cause grievous harm and then run back to their countries. The government's focus is entirely on wrong things. They don’t care about people of SA altogether. Rather they will give Zimbabweans free id/passports/rights and we pay exorbitant amounts on those things.

mlh@24.com - 2011-03-29 23:43

What a TERRIBLE, SHOCKING statistic!!! Embarrasses one to be a South African!!!!

loodikris - 2011-03-30 00:03

http://www.capeargus.co.za:80/let-me-treat-appleton-1.1048796 IAN APPLETON > Pleaded guilty to repeatedly raping a child and still wants less than the mandatory prison sentence????

Kristi10 - 2011-03-30 08:48

He raped more than one child the sick f*** he should be hanged not be put in jail

ArtGee - 2011-03-30 05:10

South Africa has to be the SICKEST COUNTRY in the World!!!
Rape seems to be a NATIONAL SPORT!
The guy that hunted down the Rapists of his daughter, needs to be COMMENDED, not locked up!
Only 7% of RAPISTS get to go to Jail.... WHY?????
How F**ked up is SA?

steven - 2011-03-30 08:18

ag even if they get to jail, they are out in a few months.
africa is africa, diseased, degenerate, disgusting. That is the african culture. Its sick.

Thingamebob - 2011-03-30 06:25

I think it should read "BETWEEN 12 months and 100 years" as these
F*&%ers tend to rape anyone, the younger the better, the older the better.

Roadster Babe - 2011-03-30 06:34

Its a cultural thing - now before all you blacks get your knickers in a knot you need to examine the deficiencies in your culture and seek to redress your issues before putting your hands out and demanding more(BEE , EE)

Modikwe - 2011-03-30 13:08

All you whites are the same! You think you are superior and you look down on black people because they do things differntly.
The article is about rape and not culture. You are impliying that it's black culture to rape and kill! That's an ignorant statement!

Marcell - 2011-03-30 06:46

same 'culture' where the members think the dead can do things for you. They are long gone. Dust to dust! The ants had them for lunch. F U culture to say the least.

Modikwe - 2011-03-30 13:12

Well what a civilized and polite statement and I heard some white person talking about being better than blacks because they are civilized and well behaved.

ignorance - 2011-04-21 09:11

I agree with @ Modikwe, there are many whites, who through comments such as @Marcell, portray the worst within my white culture in the manner in which they address anger in such a vile way.
We whites should also adopt the proud culture of blacks by raising to the opportunity to take to the streets and protest our dissatisfaction to events and conditions within this country.
But no, what do we do, we sit behind our PC's making comments, acting superior and think we have done our part.
@ Marcell - I am disgusted by your attitude and comment.

reyrey - 2011-03-30 06:56

rapists=death penalty

radarblip - 2011-03-30 12:21

damn right. no trial necessary. shoot the bastards.

BigAl - 2011-03-30 07:10

SICK SICK SICK THAT IS WHAT THIS COUNTRY WITH ITS CULTURE HAS TURNED INTO.
Even your leader is a rapist and people wonder why you used to have separation, now you can see why. You people should be ashamed to allow it to go on.
A country where burning – killing – raping and destroying everything is your way.

YES - 2011-03-30 07:14

While the report is alarming the fact of the matter is that police are doing nothing about it. My daughter was ironically raped during "Activism against Women Abuse" by some boys in the neighbourhood and well known to her but the police still have to make an arrest despite rape being a Schedule 6 offence. Mark you, this is inspite of making numerous representation to the Investigating Officer concerned, his superious locally and the provincial office in the Free State?! All that I am left with, is to bring a legal action against the police for abdicating their responsibility. Like many of those who have not reported their rape, I have lost faith in our criminal justice system and the police.

Marcell - 2011-03-30 07:25

If you know who have done it get a crossbow. Just make sure there are no prints on the arrow. Don't waste your money on legal action.

ignorance - 2011-04-21 09:30

As tragic as the event is, do not take action to the idiot comment by @ Marcell.
Vengence will ensure that you end up in jail. Who then ends up protecting your daughter and your family.
What you need to do is approach NGO's and Legal Firms, to assist you.
It must have been traumatic for your daughter and yourself, but the louder you talk about about it to the world, the more people will support and assist you in your fight for justice.
It is not a shame to have been a victim, but is a shame, when you do not speak out to help others who could be protected.

Carmen - 2011-03-30 07:41

Just another reason we have left South Africa - Why on Earth would I want to subject my Precious Children to this life???????
Be safe all fellow South Africans!

zozi - 2011-03-30 11:28

You did just fine, sure where you are the ain't no rapist, which i doubt
Even white people are rapist, so that was not reoson enough.

call a spade - 2011-03-30 07:45

Most victims children between 12 and 17 .....rape incidence amongst highest in the world.....must cases goed unreported. I would really like to hear his comments on this one. He must be hiding somewhere

call a spade - 2011-03-30 07:57

Sorry, i meant our old frind Thsepo

Ntando - 2011-03-30 08:23

I'm not against traditional practice but in our country our own government has allowed forein bogus traditional healers in, hence the results. Anybody who rapes remove the eyes or the tool used to rape.

radarblip - 2011-03-30 12:24

with a blunt and preferably rusty instrument.

ji - 2011-03-30 08:45

SA is the crime capital of the world , thanks to the ANC and zumu the rapist .

Kristi10 - 2011-03-30 08:51

Thank you ANC for showing us how NOT to govern a country.

Zupta - 2011-03-30 08:52

Thank u minister. This means nothing to me and millions of safricans. Rape is rape no matter the age , instead of giving us this bull dust what efforts have been made to eradicate or reduce crime. All u really doing is trying to fool us that u are doing something with this stats. I can tell u what u can do with it ,shove it.

Currie_Mafia - 2011-03-30 09:39

Dear friends,
‘‘Corrective rape’, the vicious practice of raping lesbians to ‘cure’ their sexuality, is becoming a crisis in South Africa. Activists on the ground are risking their lives to stop this brutal crime and have got the government's attention. Let's support them -- a massive outcry now could force the government to take concrete and urgent action. Sign the petition and send it to friends!
Thembi (name changed) was pulled from a taxi near her home, beaten and raped by a man who crowed that he was ‘curing’ her of her lesbianism.
Thembi is not alone -- this vicious crime is recurrent in South Africa, where lesbians live in terror of attack. But no one has ever been convicted of 'corrective rape'. Amazingly, from a tiny Cape Town safehouse a few brave activists are risking their lives to ensure that this heinous practice is stopped and their massive campaign has forced the government into talks.
If we shine a light on this horror from all corners of South Africa and the world -- and enough of us join in we can escalate the pressure, and help make sure these talks lead to concrete and urgent action. Let’s call on Zuma and the Minister of Justice to publicly condemn ‘corrective rape’, criminalise hate crimes, and ensure immediate enforcement, public education and protection for survivors. Sign the petition and share it with everyone -- we’ll deliver it to the government:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_corrective_rape_za/?vl
South Africa, often called the Rainbow Nation, is revered globally for its post-apartheid efforts to protect against discrimination. It was the first country to constitutionally protect citizens from discrimination based on sexuality. But local organisations record multiple 'corrective rapes' every week, and impunity reigns.
'Corrective rape' is based on the outrageous and utterly false notion that a lesbian woman can be raped to 'make her straight', but this heinous act is not even classified as a hate crime in South Africa. The victims are often black, poor, lesbian women, and profoundly marginalised. But even the 2008 gang rape and murder of Eudy Simelane, the national hero and former star of the South Africa women's national football team, did not turn the tide. Despite this high profile case, Minister Radebe insists that motive is irrelevant in crimes like 'corrective rape.'
South Africa is the rape capital of the world. A girl born today is more likely to be raped than she is to learn to read. Astoundingly, one quarter of South African girls are raped before turning 16. This has many roots: masculine entitlement (62 per cent of boys over 11 believe that forcing someone to have sex is not an act of violence), poverty, crammed settlements, unemployed and disenfranchised men, community acceptance -- and, for the few cases that are courageously reported to authorities, a dismal police response and lax sentencing.
This is a human catastrophe. But courageous local activists have opened a window of hope to get action on targeted sexual violence and hate crimes. They have got the government's attention, now if the whole world weighs in, together we could get justice for the victims and concrete and urgent action to end 'corrective rape':
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_corrective_rape_za/?vl
This is ultimately a battle with poverty, patriarchy, and homophobia. Ending the tide of rape will require bold leadership and concerted action to spearhead transformative change in South Africa and across the continent. President Zuma has himself stood trial for rape. But he condemned the arrest of a gay couple in Malawi last year, and, after massive national and international civic pressure, South Africa finally approved a UN resolution opposing extra-judicial killing in relation to sexual orientation.
If enough of us join this global call for action, we could push Zuma to speak out, drive much-needed government action, and help a national conversation that could fundamentally shift public attitudes toward rape and homophobia. Sign on now and spread the word:
http://www.avaaz.org/en/stop_corrective_rape_za/?vl
A case like Thembi's makes it easy to lose hope. But when citizens come together with one voice, we can succeed in shifting fundamentally unjust, but deeply ingrained practices and norms. Last year, in Uganda, we succeeded in building such a massive wave of public pressure that the government was forced to shelve legislation that would have sentenced gay Ugandans to death. And it was global pressure in support of bold national activists that pushed South African leaders to address the AIDS crisis that was engulfing their country. Let’s join together now and speak out for a world where each and every human being can live without fear of abuse.
With hope and determination,

Milo29 - 2011-03-30 10:47

You can talk and lobby all you want. I agree with all that you say; but; until the whole government of this country is tried, and convicted for their crimes , you have not a hope in hell of getting any help with this. Pushing the Government, is like pushing a 100 ton wagon filled with stones uphill. They can only be pushed into somthing when they stand to gain. There is nothing to gain here; the whole government is corrupt and only in it for their own benefit. All their "chommies" are guilty of one or other sort of crime, and you want them to help the poor girl(and oftentimes boy) children of SA? I say, bring back the death penalty for rape and abuse. No bail allowed.

dantochat - 2011-03-31 17:17

I agree with everything. What amazed me is the huge amount of support, both from readers and the court (who condoned the advertisement), for an advertisement that proposes "corrective rape" as punishment for drunk driving! Is "corrective rape" then acceptable under some circumstances?

truthshllstufree - 2011-03-30 10:24

Nobody can blame any one for wanting to leave this crap behind. If you can get out, do it as soon as possible!!! It doesn't seem like things will get any better. Quality of life is so much higher in other countries, in all aspects. SA is becoming an expensive dump to live in...

mev - 2011-03-30 10:41

If so many go unreported then a person can only imagine what the real numbers will read.
Let that dad go free!
If the SAPS wont do anything about the crime rate in SA then the people should!

Lindiwe - 2011-03-30 11:42

Maybe if the police department arrested the perps, maybe if our courts actually sentenced the perps to prison, maybe if our prisons were secure enough so that the perps couldn't escape - our country might not be able to "brag" about this achievement! We need more "vengeful dads" to rid the country of these vermin.

Melly31 - 2011-03-30 11:50

This is so scary... I fear for my kids!:(

Hardus Lauwrens - 2011-03-30 12:15

I wanna see those monsters hang... or better yet slowly torture them to death for the barbaric traumas they cause

Pokkels_LOL - 2011-03-30 14:59

99.99999999% of rapists in South Africa is BLACK!

Giovani269@24.com - 2011-04-10 12:11

Let me guese, it is because that porn is not freely availible that people/men rape???? Bullshit.... For some weird reason people always gives this as an excuse on why men rape. Silly.
It is the truth.
If porn is more availible to the public and easier to come by. It will reduce rape. Bulshit.
Sick men who are to much of an coward to go for a woman his size.

Sword&Cross - 2011-04-21 13:07

THIS is the land of malema where even underage kids are expressly there for child grant awards to prevent individuals from working and to satiate the multitude that ARE ENTITLED to cleanse themselves of AIDS

USSA - 2011-06-06 15:57

I wish the generalisation in this country would stop!!!!!! The words are 99% applicable to the mass-community of this country! Just like on all the channels on TV, the words, "The country mourns the loss of Sisulu" is applicable to the masses. I did not mourn!!!! Not trying to be vindictive, just emphasising that the "country" does not represent all...especially Caucasian people.